Master IELTS Speaking: How to Describe When You Helped Someone Improve Their Skills

IELTS Speaking exams frequently feature topics related to personal experiences and interactions. One common theme that often appears is describing a time when you helped someone improve their skills. This topic allows examiners to assess your ability to narrate past events, express personal opinions, and discuss the impact of your actions on others. Let’s explore how to tackle this topic effectively in your IELTS Speaking test.

IELTS Speaking Exam

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask you general questions about helping others or improving skills. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

Sample Question 1: Do you enjoy helping others improve their skills?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I do enjoy helping others improve their skills. It’s satisfying to see people make progress and gain confidence in their abilities. I think it’s a rewarding experience for both the helper and the person being helped.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, I find immense satisfaction in assisting others to enhance their skills. It’s not only gratifying to witness their progress but also a mutually beneficial experience. Helping others often reinforces my own understanding and sometimes even leads to unexpected insights into the subject matter. Moreover, the sense of camaraderie that develops during the process is truly invaluable.

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:

Describe A Time When You Helped Someone Improve Their Skills

You should say:

• Who you helped
• What skill it was
• How you helped them
• And explain how you felt about the experience

Band 6-7 Sample Answer:

I’d like to talk about a time when I helped my younger sister improve her English speaking skills. She was preparing for her high school English exam and was struggling with speaking fluently.

To help her, I dedicated some time each evening to practice conversations with her. We would role-play different scenarios, like ordering food at a restaurant or giving directions to a tourist. I also encouraged her to watch English movies with subtitles and try to imitate the actors’ pronunciations.

Over time, I noticed her confidence growing, and she started to speak more naturally. It was rewarding to see her progress and know that I had played a part in it.

The experience made me feel proud and fulfilled. It was gratifying to use my own skills to help someone else, especially a family member. It also reinforced my own English skills as I had to explain certain concepts and pronunciations.

Band 8-9 Sample Answer:

I’d like to recount an instance where I assisted my colleague, Sarah, in enhancing her public speaking skills. Sarah was an exceptionally talented software developer but found herself grappling with anxiety when presenting her work to clients or at conferences.

Recognizing her potential, I took it upon myself to help her overcome this hurdle. We devised a comprehensive strategy that involved regular practice sessions where she would deliver mock presentations. I provided constructive feedback on her body language, tone modulation, and content structure. We also worked on breathing exercises to help manage her nervousness.

Additionally, I encouraged Sarah to join a local Toastmasters club, which provided her with a supportive environment to practice and receive feedback from a diverse audience. We also analyzed videos of renowned speakers to identify effective techniques she could incorporate into her own style.

Over the course of several months, Sarah’s transformation was remarkable. Her presentations became more engaging and impactful, and she even volunteered to speak at a major industry conference, which was a significant milestone in her professional development.

This experience was immensely fulfilling for me. Witnessing Sarah’s journey from apprehension to confidence was incredibly rewarding. It reinforced my belief in the power of mentorship and the ripple effect of skill-sharing. Moreover, the process honed my own coaching abilities and deepened my understanding of effective communication techniques.

Follow-up Questions:

1. How did you feel when you saw the person’s skills improve?
2. Do you think it’s important for people to help each other learn new skills?

Band 6-7 Sample Answers:

1. I felt really happy and proud when I saw their skills improve. It was satisfying to know that my efforts had made a difference.

2. Yes, I think it’s very important. When people help each other learn, it creates a positive atmosphere and everyone benefits from sharing knowledge and experiences.

Band 8-9 Sample Answers:

1. Observing the person’s skill improvement was profoundly gratifying. It evoked a sense of accomplishment and vindication of the time and effort invested. Moreover, it reinforced my belief in the power of dedicated mentorship and the human capacity for growth.

2. Absolutely, I believe it’s crucial for people to assist each other in acquiring new skills. This practice not only fosters a collaborative learning environment but also promotes empathy and strengthens community bonds. It’s a mutually beneficial process that often leads to unexpected insights for both parties involved.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In Part 3, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:

Question 1: What are the benefits of helping others improve their skills?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Helping others improve their skills has several benefits. Firstly, it builds stronger relationships between people. It also helps create a more skilled society, which is good for everyone. For the person helping, it can reinforce their own knowledge and skills.

Band 8-9 Answer:
The act of assisting others in skill development yields multifaceted benefits. Primarily, it fosters a culture of continuous learning and mutual support, which is instrumental in building resilient communities. For the mentor, it offers an opportunity to consolidate and deepen their own expertise through the act of teaching. Moreover, it cultivates empathy and interpersonal skills, which are increasingly valuable in our interconnected world. On a broader scale, this practice contributes to the collective advancement of society, driving innovation and progress across various fields.

Question 2: Do you think schools should focus more on teaching practical skills?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I believe schools should focus more on practical skills. While academic knowledge is important, practical skills are essential for real-world success. Things like financial literacy, communication skills, and problem-solving are very useful in daily life and work.

Band 8-9 Answer:
I firmly believe that educational institutions should place a greater emphasis on imparting practical skills. While theoretical knowledge forms the foundation of education, the integration of practical skills is paramount for preparing students for the complexities of the modern world. Skills such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are indispensable in navigating both personal and professional challenges. Moreover, practical skills often serve as a bridge between abstract concepts and real-world applications, enhancing students’ overall understanding and retention of academic material. This balanced approach would equip students with a more comprehensive skill set, making them more versatile and resilient in the face of rapidly evolving global demands.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

To enhance your IELTS Speaking performance, consider using these advanced words and phrases:

1. Gratifying (adjective) – /ˈɡrætɪfaɪɪŋ/ – giving pleasure or satisfaction
   Example: “It was gratifying to see my student’s progress over time.”

2. Mutually beneficial (phrase) – /ˈmjuːtʃuəli ˌbenɪˈfɪʃl/ – advantageous for both parties involved
   Example: “Mentoring is often a mutually beneficial experience for both the mentor and mentee.”

3. To take it upon oneself (idiom) – to voluntarily assume responsibility for something
   Example: “I took it upon myself to help my colleague improve her presentation skills.”

4. Comprehensive strategy (phrase) – /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv ˈstrætədʒi/ – a thorough plan covering all aspects
   Example: “We devised a comprehensive strategy to enhance her public speaking abilities.”

5. Remarkable transformation (phrase) – /rɪˈmɑːkəbl trænsf əˈmeɪʃn/ – an impressive change
   Example: “Her remarkable transformation from a nervous speaker to a confident presenter was inspiring.”

Examiner’s Advice

To excel in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing helping others improve their skills:

1. Use a variety of vocabulary and avoid repetition. Incorporate idiomatic expressions and advanced vocabulary where appropriate.

2. Provide specific examples to support your points. This demonstrates your ability to communicate detailed information effectively.

3. Show a range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and conditional forms.

4. Practice speaking on this topic, recording yourself and analyzing your performance. Focus on fluency, pronunciation, and the logical organization of your ideas.

5. Be prepared to discuss the topic from various angles, including personal experiences, societal implications, and future trends in skill development.

By following these tips and using the sample answers as inspiration, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle questions about helping others improve their skills in your IELTS Speaking test.

For more IELTS speaking practice, you might find it helpful to explore topics like describing a person who has taught you an important life lesson or describing a time when you had to balance work and personal life. These related topics can help broaden your vocabulary and improve your ability to discuss various aspects of personal development and interactions.